In this powerhouse episode of the SafeCheck Podcast , we sit down with Kelly Higginson , President of Restaurants Canada, for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at how advocacy is shaping the future of foodservice in Canada. From fighting for the GST holiday to navigating tariffs and labor shortages, Kelly shares what it takes to lead an industry through its most challenging chapter yet. We dive into the staggering impact restaurants have on the economy — 1.2 million employees, $28 billion in...
Mar 25, 2025•50 min
Renowned chef Massimo Capra shares his incredible journey from a small town in Italy to becoming a celebrated culinary figure in Canada. In this candid conversation, Chef Capra discusses the evolution of the restaurant industry, the challenges of maintaining culinary excellence, the impact of changing labor dynamics, and his thoughts on food safety and training in modern kitchens. With humor, wisdom, and a deep passion for his craft, he offers insights into the highs and lows of the industry, fr...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla sit down with Darin Reeves, Director of Human Resources at Rancherlo Society. Darin shares the inspiring journey of Rancherlo, a not-for-profit that has been serving Saskatchewan for over 58 years, offering services like psychotherapy, vocational programs, and mental health support. Darin shares the importance of building a supportive workplace culture, the value of investing in people, and how training pro...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr 32 min
Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla sit down with Rob Jusela, a seasoned hospitality professional with years of experience opening restaurants across Canada. Rob takes us through his fascinating career journey, from working with the Canadian Brewhouse in Alberta to managing locations in Ontario. He shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of opening new locations, the importance of training and cross-training in the food service i...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr
Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla return after a brief hiatus to dive deep into the latest developments in the food safety world. With a special focus on the recent outbreak in Calgary that shocked the childcare industry, they explore the root causes and the critical recommendations from the Alberta government's investigation. Joined by food safety expert Jim Chan, the discussion highlights the importance of building a robust food saf...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Send us a textIn this episode of the Safe Check Podcast, we sit down with Jim Chan, a retired public health inspector from Ontario. Jim shares his extensive experience managing Toronto's food safety inspection program and discusses the challenges and importance of maintaining rigorous food safety standards. From inspection frequencies to the balance of education and enforcement, Jim provides valuable insights into the intricacies of public health inspections. We also delve into the recent iss...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Send us a textIn a compelling follow-up episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay and Domenic reconvene with Dr. Darin Detwiler to dive a bit deeper into the critical issues of food safety illuminated in the Netflix documentary "Poisoned." This part two of their conversation focuses on the broader impacts of Dr. Detwiler's advocacy work and the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety across various sectors.The episode kicks off with a reflection on Dr. Detwiler's personal tragedy, the lo...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Send us a textIn a dynamic episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay engage in an insightful conversation with Bob Duprey, the mind behind Restaurants Playbook. The trio delves into the transformative potential of modern training methodologies for the restaurant industry, spotlighting the urgent need for comprehensive training systems that cater to both the seasoned and the incoming workforce.Bob shares his journey from the grassroots of restaurant operations to pioneering onlin...
Apr 07, 2024•45 min
Send us a textIn an inspiring episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay sit down with Dr. Darin Detwiler, whose personal tragedy is the focal point of the Netflix documentary "Poisoned." This interview focuses on the E. coli outbreak that transformed Detwiler from a nuclear engineer on a nuclear submarine into a leading force in food safety advocacy.Throughout the interview, Dr. Detwiler shares his journey and the extensive impact of his work, including his advisory roles with k...
Apr 07, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Send us a textIn this inspiring episode of SafeCheck Podcast, we jump into the world of exceptional customer service with Chelsea Mouwen, the esteemed Customer Service Manager at SafeCheck. With over a decade of experience under her belt, Chelsea shares her journey from her early days at Victoria's Secret to becoming a cornerstone of SafeCheck's success. Her commitment to understanding and exceeding customer expectations sets a high standard for service excellence. Chelsea's insights reveal t...
Mar 17, 2024•47 min
Send us a textIn this transformative episode of Safecheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay sit down with Craig McFadyen from Learning Planet, revealing a groundbreaking approach to corporate training and personal development. As they navigate through the journey of learning and growth, Craig shares invaluable insights from his 30 years of experience in training and development, emphasizing the importance of investing in employees for both personal and organizational growth. This episode sh...
Mar 17, 2024•59 min
Send us a textUnlock the future of food entrepreneurship with insights from Azrah of Syzl, where culinary dreams find a home in professional kitchens without the overhead nightmare. In this exciting exploration, our guest unveils how Syzl catalyzes the growth of small food ventures, offering a novel platform that’s stirring the pot in the Canadian food industry. We delve into the transformative power of Syzl's approach to kitchen space rentals, providing a compliant and affordable stepping st...
Feb 20, 2024•53 min
Send us a textWhen Darcy from Integrity Advocate stopped by for a chat, we never expected to journey from heartwarming lunches with furry friends to the critical corners of online proctoring. Yet, here we were, unpacking the transformation of their innovative software from an oil and gas industry staple to a versatile tool across other industries. With features designed for the modern learner, like no installation hassle and mobile compatibility, Darcy's insights highlight just how aligned we...
Feb 19, 2024•45 min
Send us a textDiscover the vibrant path of Francine Shaw, from her start as a fry girl to becoming a leading voice in food safety. Join us for an enlightening conversation where we dissect the critical, sometimes overlooked aspects of health inspections and the restaurant industry. Francine, hailing from Savvy Food Safety, shares her unique insights from a career that spans operations, academic, and regulatory frameworks, offering a fresh take on what truly makes the food service sector tick....
Feb 12, 2024•49 min
Send us a textDiscover the chilling truth behind your favorite frosty refreshment as Dustin from Clean Ice Canada joins us for a deep freeze into the world of commercial ice machine cleanliness. It's easy to overlook these frost giants in the kitchen, but as we learn, they're as critical to food safety as any grill or griddle. This episode promises to change the way you view the ice clinking in your glass, emphasizing the crucial care needed to prevent bacterial build-up and contamination ris...
Feb 07, 2024•34 min
Send us a textPrepare to expand your knowledge and enhance your culinary expertise! In this episode, Mark McEwen from Food Service Solutions takes us on an informative journey through food safety and technology. As a former chef turned technology expert, Mark reveals how revolutionary cooking technologies from Europe and America are transforming Canadian kitchens. These innovations are more than just clever gadgets; they're pivotal in increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining hig...
Jan 21, 2024•51 min
Send us a textLearn More at www.safecheck1.com
Dec 15, 2023•42 min
Send us a textJoin us as we sit down with Nick, a Business Development Manager at Sysco and a third-generation industry insider, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of food safety and the unique challenges posed by the Montreal food market. Nick brings a wealth of experience to our conversation, guiding us through how online training and multilingual exams have become pivotal in the quest for compliance and safer dining experiences. We then shift our focus to Montreal’s unique fo...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Send us a textReady to explore the secrets of running a successful pizza chain in Calgary, Alberta? Join us as we take a savory journey into the world of Coco Brooks with the owner, Richard Osiowy. Richard peels back the curtain on his business journey, divulging the importance of stringent training, efficient systems, and consistent procedures. He also generously shares his recipe for employee retention, having kept some of his staff for over two decades!Richard offers a unique perspective o...
Nov 27, 2023•56 min
Send us a textCurious about the intersection of food safety and occupational health? Here's a promise: by the end of this episode, you'll have a whole new understanding of these critical areas. We sit down with Ermin Arnautovic, a revered specialist in both fields, boasting an impressive 30 years of experience. Ermin takes us on a journey from the successful model of a large retail location to the challenges and solutions present in the complex world of the hospitality industry.Imagine the hi...
Nov 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Send us a textDiscover the depths of culinary education as we dive deep with veteran chef and educator, Andy Waters. Journey with us into the heart of Lord Beaverbrook High School's teaching kitchen, where Andy unveils the secrets and experiences amassed over an illustrious 50-year career in the culinary realm. Embark on a voyage from rudimentary to revolutionary kitchen transformations, state-of-the-art facilities, and transformative cooperative programs.But what if the essence of culinary e...
Nov 02, 2023•56 min
Send us a textWelcome to another episode of Canada's Food & Everything Else Safety Podcast, where we're excited to bring you a riveting discourse with Chef Liana, a celebrated personality in Calgary's culinary scene and an enthusiastic supporter of food safety. As a seasoned chef with an impressive career spanning nearly 30 years, her dedication to kitchen safety is unparalleled. Our delightful chat centers around her endeavors in prestigious events, even her commitment to the Cookie Char...
Nov 01, 2023•53 min
Send us a textBuckle up for a deep dive into the world of food safety with our guest, Jim Chan, a retired public health inspector from the city of Toronto. Jim brings years of hard-earned experience combating foodborne outbreaks and ensuring public safety through meticulous inspections. Our conversation paints a detailed picture of how outbreak investigations are initiated, the urgency of response rates, and the pivotal role that operators play. We'll pull back the curtain on the DineSaf...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr
Send us a textImagine a city where food safety practices are radically propelled into a new era of transparency and uniformity; welcome to Toronto, post the introduction of the Dine Safe program. Our guest for this enlightening discussion is none other than Jim Chan, the former lead at Toronto Public Health for the Food Safety Division, whose journey we recount as he led the charge in revolutionizing food safety in Canada. Together, we'll walk through the origins of the Dine Safe program, bor...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 17 min
Send us a textCould you fathom the dire ripple effects of a single, avoidable food safety mishap on a business and its patrons? Bill Marlar, a lawyer and food safety stalwart since the tragic Jack in the Box debacle in 1993, joins us to unravel this reality. In a deeply engaging dialogue, Marlar underscores the criticality of cultivating a food safety culture, not just implementing regulations. He shares a heart-wrenching tale of a small restaurant chain that suffered a fatal listeria outbrea...
Sep 16, 2023•38 min
Send us a textCan you imagine your business or home being swiped off by a disaster? Would you be prepared? This episode zeroes in on disaster preparedness and food safety, a topic that is often overlooked until it hits home. We dissect the far-reaching impacts of disasters like floods, fires, and power outages on businesses and homes, underscoring the imperativeness of preparedness. We also shed light on the criticality of food safety during such times, discussing the necessity of temperature...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Send us a textUnearth the secrets behind Canada's leading food safety and training program with our guest, Dominic, from the renowned Canada’s #1 Work Safety Training Provider.Having provided value to the food industry for almost two decades, Domenic shares how their program has adapted to the changing landscape of food safety, adjusting costs and implementing online training to make it more accessible and enticing to the masses. This conversation touches on the importance of regular aw...
Sep 14, 2023•53 min
Send us a textJoin us on a captivating journey as we explore the intricacies of food safety in the service industry with our esteemed guest, Gwen Van Ziegler, a food safety specialist with Safe Check. With over a decade of experience conducting surprise audits and food safety training, Gwen brings invaluable insights into the challenges facing this industry. Are you curious about how leadership plays a critical role in the food service industry? Gwen's expertise will enlighten you on the impa...
Sep 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Send us a textWhat if workplace safety was not just a responsibility but a mark of excellence for your business? Come aboard as we travel back to 1988, when WHMIS first made a splash in Canada. We ponder the evolution of these courses, the birth of the WHMIS system, and its significance in harmonizing Canada's safety standards with the world. This serves as a potent toolkit for businesses, especially restaurants, aiding in hazard identification, label understanding, and workplace accide...
Aug 06, 2023•48 min
Send us a text Imagine the horror of having to shut down your restaurant due to a cockroach infestation! That's exactly what happened recently to a local restaurant in Calgary. We're going to take you through this cautionary tale, unfolding the story of how these unwelcome pests can invade restaurants, the damage they can cause to a business and its reputation, and most importantly how this disaster could have been prevented. Did you know that public health inspections can be both...
Jul 06, 2023•43 min
